How do people make inexpensive clothing look expensive? Tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the item it can help to change out the buttons for a better quality button.

So true. I bought a wool pea coat last year that was cheap but somehow great quality. All but the buttons, that is. So many reviews mentioned the bittons! Swapped them out and the coat is now great looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve seen people make Zara or H&M items or JCPenney look like they spent hundreds and the item is a $30 blazer or sweater.

#1 - be super thin bc even the cheapest thing looks good on very thin people

#2 - Photograh it from a distance. Use a filter before posting photo.

#3 - wear it only once bc more than one wear and the wear shows

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Above all, it needs to fit well.

+1, anything that pulls or pinches will look cheap. Oversized clothes don't so much look cheap as they make you look uncouth, but the effect is the same. Clothes should fit, especially in the shoulders, hips, waist, and to the correct hem. Spending $$ on tailoring, or taking the time to find the proper size or the brands that fit you best, is well worth it.

This is something I’d love to know also, how do you make the oversized sweater or blazer look nice? I feel like people either hit or miss in this season. But others completely nail an untucked oversized sweater or cardigan.

Dress for your body type. Accept that there are some trends that you will not be able to pull off.

[Anonymous]

Be mindful of how you wash and dry things, and how frequently.

And buy a fabric shaver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Above all, it needs to fit well.

+1, anything that pulls or pinches will look cheap. Oversized clothes don't so much look cheap as they make you look uncouth, but the effect is the same. Clothes should fit, especially in the shoulders, hips, waist, and to the correct hem. Spending $$ on tailoring, or taking the time to find the proper size or the brands that fit you best, is well worth it.

This is something I’d love to know also, how do you make the oversized sweater or blazer look nice? I feel like people either hit or miss in this season. But others completely nail an untucked oversized sweater or cardigan.

The people nailing an oversized anything are not busty.

I hated my small boobs when I was younger, but now love them. When I was nursing they got really big and I found it so much more difficult to dress. Things that were looser fitting to accommodate them could look frumpy if I wasn’t careful and anything too tight could look inappropriate. Ultimately it comes down to well fitted clothes and I think when you are skinnier/have smaller boobs, it’s easier to finds things that are flattering.

[Anonymous]

Be skinny and toned. Only wear them a few times.

[Anonymous]

Tailoring and having a good steamer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the item it can help to change out the buttons for a better quality button.

Where do you get good quality buttons?

Sometimes I buy things at the thrift store just for the buttons if they’re good buttons

[Anonymous]

I think people are making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. I’ve never spent hundreds of dollars on outfits for everday use, so I can’t be certain I meet your criteria, but this is how I approach fashion.

Pick out clothes that suit your body type and coloring. Research can give you an idea of which styles may be flattering, but it really comes down to trying on things until you know which cuts flatter you (and which don’t). You may be able to “get your colors done” professionally, but it’s expensive and unnecessary. Most likely the colors that will look best on you are the ones you’re drawn to and the ones you feel happy/confident/energized wearing. Make sure the fit is good - too small is worse than too big. If the style, color, and fit aren’t right (fit is negotiable IF you’re willing and able to sew or pay for tailoring), keep looking. While others may switch out buttons, I acknowledge that I’m all thumbs and don’t want to go to the time and hassle involved for a result that probably won’t look quite as good as it did before my efforts.

Prioritize classic styles and prints. You’ll be able to wear them for years. If a trend comes along that you like you can buy a few pieces, but the seasons where everything is awful, you’ll still look great in the clothes that flatter you. Mixing neutrals and colors will add versatility, but remember to stay in your colors. For instance, my neutrals are black and white, and I look get in jewel tones. I have a lot of red, turquoise, and magenta. I might wear black slacks with a red shirt, or a white blouse with a floral skirt. For my mom, on the other hand, her neutrals are earth tones and she looks fabulous in pastels. Wearing her colors makes me look and feel like death warmed over.

Add the finishing touches. Accessorize, but don’t go overboard. You can be bold or whimsical, but stop before you reach gaudy. When in doubt, less is more.

Make sure you’re “polished”. Expensive clothes don’t matter if you’re wrinkled and mussed. On the other hand, if you’re freshly pressed, every hair in place, shoes polished, whatever makeup you wear looking fresh, etc., you’ll probably make a good impression as long as your clothes are appropriate to the setting (professional, casual, formal, etc.). Also, present yourself positively. Good posture, confident movements, a friendly smile, etc., make a difference. I’ve seen celebrities on TV wearing designer clothes that I know cost thousands of dollars, but when they slouch and slump it spoils the effect.

When I want to look nice, I tend to shop at Penney’s and Kohl’s. For everyday casual clothes that look nice enough, but I’m not particularly concerned about making an impression, I like Walmart. I’ve gotten some of my favorite casual shirts there. Since Payless is no longer an option, DSW is where I do most of my shoe shopping. I would probably buy purses from Penney’s, Kohl’s or Target. I generally find Target’s clothes for women to be overpriced, poor quality, and too trendy. Sales and outlets are your friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people are making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. I’ve never spent hundreds of dollars on outfits for everday use, so I can’t be certain I meet your criteria, but this is how I approach fashion.

Pick out clothes that suit your body type and coloring. Research can give you an idea of which styles may be flattering, but it really comes down to trying on things until you know which cuts flatter you (and which don’t). You may be able to “get your colors done” professionally, but it’s expensive and unnecessary. Most likely the colors that will look best on you are the ones you’re drawn to and the ones you feel happy/confident/energized wearing. Make sure the fit is good - too small is worse than too big. If the style, color, and fit aren’t right (fit is negotiable IF you’re willing and able to sew or pay for tailoring), keep looking. While others may switch out buttons, I acknowledge that I’m all thumbs and don’t want to go to the time and hassle involved for a result that probably won’t look quite as good as it did before my efforts.

Prioritize classic styles and prints. You’ll be able to wear them for years. If a trend comes along that you like you can buy a few pieces, but the seasons where everything is awful, you’ll still look great in the clothes that flatter you. Mixing neutrals and colors will add versatility, but remember to stay in your colors. For instance, my neutrals are black and white, and I look get in jewel tones. I have a lot of red, turquoise, and magenta. I might wear black slacks with a red shirt, or a white blouse with a floral skirt. For my mom, on the other hand, her neutrals are earth tones and she looks fabulous in pastels. Wearing her colors makes me look and feel like death warmed over.

Add the finishing touches. Accessorize, but don’t go overboard. You can be bold or whimsical, but stop before you reach gaudy. When in doubt, less is more.

Make sure you’re “polished”. Expensive clothes don’t matter if you’re wrinkled and mussed. On the other hand, if you’re freshly pressed, every hair in place, shoes polished, whatever makeup you wear looking fresh, etc., you’ll probably make a good impression as long as your clothes are appropriate to the setting (professional, casual, formal, etc.). Also, present yourself positively. Good posture, confident movements, a friendly smile, etc., make a difference. I’ve seen celebrities on TV wearing designer clothes that I know cost thousands of dollars, but when they slouch and slump it spoils the effect.

When I want to look nice, I tend to shop at Penney’s and Kohl’s. For everyday casual clothes that look nice enough, but I’m not particularly concerned about making an impression, I like Walmart. I’ve gotten some of my favorite casual shirts there. Since Payless is no longer an option, DSW is where I do most of my shoe shopping. I would probably buy purses from Penney’s, Kohl’s or Target. I generally find Target’s clothes for women to be overpriced, poor quality, and too trendy. Sales and outlets are your friends.

LOL - this is longest and most complicated post

[Anonymous]

Don’t just hang clothes when they come out of the dryer.

Iron them to make them look crisp and polished.

[Anonymous]

Buy stuff that fits, tailored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Don’t just hang clothes when they come out of the dryer.

Iron them to make them look crisp and polished.

This works best if you remove your clothes while still slightly damp, for anyone new to ironing.

[Anonymous]

Be thin, have good hair, skin and nails, and you can make anything look good. It's that simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Above all, it needs to fit well.

+1, anything that pulls or pinches will look cheap. Oversized clothes don't so much look cheap as they make you look uncouth, but the effect is the same. Clothes should fit, especially in the shoulders, hips, waist, and to the correct hem. Spending $$ on tailoring, or taking the time to find the proper size or the brands that fit you best, is well worth it.

This is something I’d love to know also, how do you make the oversized sweater or blazer look nice? I feel like people either hit or miss in this season. But others completely nail an untucked oversized sweater or cardigan.

You have to be thin and have a good haircut